New wrinkle in timing of Jackson Jr.'s announcement

The timing of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s announcement on Monday that he had begun a medical leave of absence two weeks earlier has taken on new significance.

Frank Watkins, his Washington spokesman, said the news was released just before 5 p.m. Central Time on Monday. Five p.m. that day was the deadline for independent candidates to file nomination papers with the State Board of Elections for a spot on the ballot for the November election for the seat, said Rupert Borgsmiller, the board’s executive director.

Candidates typically bring their papers to the office, or have a representative do that, because they must be time-stamped by the 5 p.m. deadline, Borgsmiller said.

Watkins, in an interview, insisted there was no link between the delay in making the news public and the filing deadline. “That was not a factor at all,” he said.

Jackson will face two rivals on Nov. 6: Brian Woodworth, a Republican from Bourbonnais, and Marcus Lewis, an independent from Matteson.

Wayne Steger, chairman of the political science department at DePaul University, said in an interview that the first thing that occurred to him when he read about Jackson’s leave was that the filing deadline must have passed for additional candidates to enter the race.

“Obviously, they timed the announcement so that he can’t have any new opponent who would use this (medical leave) against him in the general election,” Steger said. “The timing is designed to make sure he wins re-election, despite having to take a leave of absence during the summer.”

Watkins, Jackson’s spokesman, has declined to reveal the lawmaker’s whereabouts and said it is unclear how long he will be gone. The announcement Monday said Jackson was suffering from exhaustion.

During the leave of absence, Jackson has missed dozens of votes in Congress as well as a fundraiser. His campaign sent out invitations for a June 19 breakfast at a Washington restaurant, with tiered contribution levels of $500, $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000. The event was cancelled, Watkins said.

At Chicago’s City Hall today, Ald. Sandi Jackson spoke briefly to reporters but provided scant information about her husband’s condition or whereabouts.

"I think it's important to say that I love my husband very much, that's the first thing," Jackson said in her first public statement since her husband's office made an announcement Monday. "The second thing is, as a wife, my primary concern is that of my children. I just want to make sure they're taken care of and provided for. And we're just going to continue doing the good work that we're doing here in the city of Chicago."

"And I want to say this one other thing, too," she continued. "I want to thank all those folks who prayed for our family, who have kept my husband and myself and our children uplifted in prayer. It's gratifying to know that there's so much support. And so I thank you very much for your interest, and thank you so much for helping us through this tough period. Thank you."

Jackson spoke to a crowd of reporters who had been tracking her around City Hall for much of the morning. She took no questions after her statement. After speaking, Jackson left City Hall, escorted by City Council staff.